Bird's-eye view of Hainan Yuchang Palace
Yuchang Palace is located at the foot of Wenbi Peak in Ding'an County, Hainan Province, which is the final retreat of Bai Yuchan, the actual founder of the Southern Sect of Daoism and the Fifth Patriarch of the Southern Sect.
Yuchang Palace is the only legal temple of Daoism in Hainan, revered by Daoists as the “Altar of the Southern Sect.” It boasts the world's largest cluster of Daoist buildings, consisting of nearly 20 halls including the Cihang Hall for prayers for peace, the Yue Lao Hall for marriage blessings, the Yuanchen Hall for guidance on destiny, the Wenchang Pavilion for enlightenment, the Medicine King Hall for health and longevity, and the Wealth God Hall for prosperity. The architecture is complete and distinctive, vividly showcasing the thematic characteristics of Daoist culture. The halls are beautifully decorated with exquisite carvings, a testament to the remarkable skills and artistic creativity of ancient laborers.
Yuchang Pavilion of Hainan Yuchang Palace
Yuchang Pavilion: This hall enshrines the Fifth Patriarch of the Southern Sect, Bai Yuchan. The Fifth Patriarch of the Southern Sect, Bai Yuchan, is celebrated for his exceptional talent in promoting the teachings and founding civilization, benefiting future generations. He is recognized as the first cultural luminary in Chinese history from Hainan. Yuchang Palace upholds the religious tenets established by Ancestor Yuchan, focusing on dual cultivation of life and spirit internally and benefiting society externally. It will reciprocate the kindness of all believers with its rich historical and cultural heritage of the Southern Sect. The basic shape is an octagonal pavilion, with eaves and tiered roofs illuminated by lights, creating the scene described in Daoist scriptures of the Heavenly Palace with “eight-pointed rays,” exemplifying the unique architectural style of Yuchang Palace.
Magpie Bridge of the Moon Old Man Hall of Hainan Yuchang Palace
Moon Old Man Hall: The Moon Old Man is a deity in folk legends responsible for overseeing the marriages of men and women. There are always some men and women who get lost in their feelings, so the Moon Old Man comes to their aid by tying a red string around the feet of those destined to be together, drawing them closer. It is said that the “thread” connecting “a thousand-mile marriage” originates from the red strings in the Moon Old Man's pouch.
Yuanchen Hall of Hainan Yuchang Palace
Yuanchen Hall: Enshrines Doumu Yuanjun and sixty Birth Deity Stars (the Sixty Jiazi), and the Five Directional Emperors. Doumu Yuanjun is the mother of the Seven Northern Dipper Stars, the venerable deity leading the Star Deities of Birth. The Birth Deity Stars are the Sixty Jiazi, taking turns on duty in the Celestial Palace according to the Jiazi year cycle, each presiding over the fortune, blessings, and longevity of those born that year. Praying to one's Birth Deity is known as “seeking auspicious stars.” The Five Directional Emperors are the Eastern Green Emperor Lingfu, the Southern Red Emperor Wenzu, the Central Yellow Emperor Taiyi, the Western White Emperor Xianji, and the Northern Black Emperor Xuanyu, deities representing the essence and energy of the five elements.
Turnaround Hall of Hainan Yuchang Palace
Turnaround Hall: Traditional beliefs hold that fate follows the principles of mutual generation and inhibition among the five elements, with wood, fire, earth, metal, and water both generating and inhibiting each other. This indicates that worldly affairs are part of a continuously moving and cyclical system, where an individual's fate is neither absolutely good nor absolutely bad, but rather depends on understanding the laws and timing of movement, allowing fate to constantly transform towards positive outcomes.
Guanyin Hall: Enshrines Cihang Daozun, also known as Guanyin Bodhisattva. Historical records indicate that Guanyin was the third princess of the North Peak Kingdom's King Miaozhuangyan, named Miaoshan, who devoted herself to spiritual cultivation and ultimately achieved enlightenment, earning the imperial title of “Greatly Compassionate Saviour of Suffering, Namo Inspired Guanyin Bodhisattva.” Cihang Daozun represents the spirit of caring and compassion, radiating maternal love towards all beings. The architectural style of this hall embodies elegance, nobility, and benevolent intimacy.
Night View of Hainan Yuchang Palace: Altar of the Southern Sect
Wealth God Hall: Enshrines the deities Guan Shengdi Jun, Liu Haichan Zushi, and Yuantan Zhao Gongming Yuan Shuai. Guan Shengdi Jun is Guan Yu, commonly referred to as Lord Guan. Guan Yu's loyalty and righteousness serve as the spiritual pillar behind wealth acquisition and possession, thus he is revered as the Martial God of Wealth.
Wenchang Pavilion: Enshrines Wenchang Dijun and Kui Dou Xingjun, the main gods of the Wenchang Six Stars. All ranks and titles bestowed upon scholars and officials in the mortal realm are decided by the Wenchang Divine Palace, hence since ancient times, all academies and schools have built Wenchang shrines or pavilions. (Editor: Li Fengsen)